Muguruza celebrates during what was a one-sided victory (Image: REUTERS)

Amid the powerful, youthful brilliance of the 23-year-old Spaniard, it was hard not to feel for Williams as she capitulated to a 5-7 0-6 defeat in a flurry of unforced errors.

The Centre Court crowd did. At 0-4 down in that second set and facing another three break points, a tumultuous round of applause for the 37-year-old tumbled from the seats.

It sounded like a farewell. It probably was a farewell.

That Williams got this far was a remarkable achievement. Never mind her advancing years, this is a sportswoman who, six years ago, was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome – a debilitating immune system complaint that causes fatigue and joint pain.

And 12 days ago, she was walking out of a press conference in tears after questions about a fatal car collision she had been involved in back in the States.

Muguruza during the match on Centre Court (Image: REUTERS)

Muguruza in action against Williams (Image: PA)

Everything seemed to catch up with her in a second set that was as one-sided as the first was closely-fought.

By the time Muguruza’s challenge to a wrongly-called Williams overhit sealed the title-winning deal, the two-set points squandered earlier by Venus seems like a figment of the imagination.

Talk about turning points.

She did not capitalise on the chance at 5-4 in the first set.. and did not win another game. She would rather have been anywhere else than in a post-match press conference.

“She played top tennis so I have to give her credit for just playing a better match,” was Williams’ only utterance of note.

The two players embrace after the match (Image: PA)

Muguruza collects her trophy (Image: PA)

For Muguruza, the No.14 seed who lost to Serena in the 2015 final but beat her to win the 2016 French Open, it was a return to form after a forgettable 12 months.

She drew inspiration from that loss to Venus’s sister two years ago and from the Wimbledon honours board.

“I always look at the wall and see all the names and all the history,” explained Muguruza, who pocketed £2.2million for the triumph. “I lost a final. I didn’t want to lose this time because I know the difference.

“I really know the difference, so I’m happy that my name is there now.”

And one thing would cap her dream Wimbledon.. a date with Roger Federer at the Champions Dinner.

“I want to see if he’s that elegant also dancing,” she laughed.

On the evidence of this wonderful victory, you suspect Roger, like Venus, would struggle to keep up.